The NRC works with local and state jurisdictions to achieve systemic reform on behalf of dual status youth – young people involved with both the child welfare and youth justice systems – and their families. Utilizing a tailored and collaborative approach, we guide youth-serving systems and multi-disciplinary partners in identifying, implementing, and sustaining policy and practice reforms that enhance system performance and make a positive impact on children, families, and communities. Our dual status youth reform framework also informs our work focused on addressing the needs of commercially and sexually exploited of children (CSEC).

The NRC provides intensive technical assistance to youth justice stakeholders in state and local jurisdictions to achieve measurable, sustainable improvements in probation and youth justice system performance. The engagement of agency/organizational leadership, court, probation, and other relevant practitioners and stakeholders is essential to develop findings and recommendations that capitalize on local expertise, opportunities to support ongoing positive practices and initiatives, and seize viable opportunities for reform.

The Diversion and Alternatives Reform Team (DART) Initiative supports state and local jurisdictions in their efforts to develop or enhance their system of alternative responses to formal prosecution. The NRC supports the creation of a comprehensive system of diversionary practices and collaborative system approaches to fully realize community and agency partnerships that protect public safety, ensure accountability, and take advantage of restorative justice principles through a robust system of alternatives to formal prosecution to produce positive youth outcomes.

The NRC partners with youth justice agencies and system stakeholders to strengthen case management practices through the Growth-Focused Youth Justice Case Management (GFCM) framework. GFCM is designed to enhance existing supervision and case planning approaches by integrating strengths-based, developmentally informed strategies that support youth in building a positive identity and moving toward long-term desistance from offending.